EFFECTS OF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE AND NERVE FLOSSING TECHNIQUE ON PAIN AND DISABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY

Background: Lumbosacral radiculopathy is a prevalent neuromuscular disorder resulting from compression or irritation of lumbosacral nerve roots (L1–S4), commonly presenting with lower back pain radiating to the hip, thigh, and leg. Symptoms may include tingling, numbness, paresthesia, and shooting pain. It significantly impacts daily functioning and quality of life. Manual therapy interventions such as myofascial release (MFR) and nerve flossing technique (NFT) have gained attention for their therapeutic potential in managing radicular symptoms and improving functional outcomes. Objective: To determine the effects of myofascial release and nerve flossing technique on pain and disability in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 36 participants aged 20–45 years diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy, selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups via the lottery method. Group A received a combination of MFR and NFT along with conventional physiotherapy, while Group B received NFT with conventional treatment alone. Interventions were administered three times per week for four weeks. MFR was applied for 10 minutes per session, and NFT consisted of 2 sets of 10 repetitions over 15 minutes. Outcomes were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline and after four weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS v23. Results: Group A showed a reduction in NPRS from 7.16 ± 1.46 to 1.33 ± 0.90 and in ODI from 24.83 ± 8.21 to 4.55 ± 1.72. Group B showed a reduction in NPRS from 7.00 ± 1.41 to 2.72 ± 0.95 and in ODI from 25.44 ± 9.46 to 7.22 ± 2.31. Inter-group comparisons showed statistically significant differences in post-intervention scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of myofascial release and nerve flossing was more effective in reducing pain and disability compared to nerve flossing alone, suggesting a synergistic benefit in treating lumbar radiculopathy.